Zinnias are among the most popular annual flowers, bringing reliable color to gardens across the summer and fall. These cheerful, brightly colored blooms are often considered a staple in a pollinator garden. Honey bees like zinnias, making them a valuable addition to landscapes aiming to support these insects. Understanding the specific qualities of the zinnia flower explains why it is such a magnet for foraging honey bees.
Why Zinnias Are Attractive to Honey Bees
The zinnia flower head is beneficial for pollinators, including the honey bee. What appears as a single large bloom is actually a dense collection of tiny individual flowers called florets, packed together on a composite head. This structure provides a stable and efficient landing platform, allowing a bee to access a high concentration of food rewards without expending energy flying between separate blooms.
Zinnias provide a generous supply of two resources: nectar and pollen. The sugar-rich nectar acts as the high-energy fuel that powers a honey bee’s flight and is converted into honey for the colony. Pollen, the protein-rich food source, is collected to feed developing bee larvae, making it a requirement for a healthy hive.
The vivid colors of zinnias, which range from yellows and oranges to deep pinks and reds, attract bees. While human eyes enjoy the vibrant petals, bees are particularly sensitive to colors in the violet and blue spectrum. Many zinnia petals feature ultraviolet (UV) nectar guides, patterns invisible to humans, which direct the bee straight to the nectar source at the flower’s center.
The long blooming season is another element in the zinnia’s appeal to honey bees. Zinnias flower from early summer until the first hard frost. This extended period provides a consistent food source late in the year, which is helpful for honey bee colonies preparing for winter.
Choosing the Best Zinnia Varieties for Pollinators
Not all zinnias are equally attractive or useful to honey bees; the flower’s petal structure determines their value. Gardeners should prioritize single-petal or semi-double varieties for foraging insects. These types feature an open center, leaving the reproductive parts, known as the disc florets, fully exposed and easily accessible for bees to gather nectar and pollen.
In contrast, double-flowered varieties, often described as pom-pom or dome-shaped, are less helpful to bees. The excessive layers of petals, which breeders favor for their showy appearance, bury the nectaries and pollen. This design makes it difficult for honey bees to reach the food source, causing them to move on to more accessible flowers.
When selecting seeds or plants, look for varieties with an open structure and prolific blooming. Excellent choices for honey bee attraction include the ‘Profusion’ and ‘Zahara’ series, along with classic single-flowered types like ‘Benary’s Giant’ and ‘Cut and Come Again’. These varieties grow vigorously, ensuring a large and reliable food supply throughout the season.
Practical Tips for a Bee-Friendly Zinnia Garden
To maximize the appeal of zinnias to honey bees, strategic planting and maintenance practices are necessary. Planting zinnias in large clusters or drifts creates a mass appeal that is more visible to a foraging bee flying overhead. This grouping signals a rich and efficient food source, encouraging bees to land and spend more time foraging.
Zinnias require full sun exposure, meaning they need at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight. This location is also where honey bees prefer to forage, as the warmth helps them maintain the high body temperature needed for flight. Placing your zinnia patch in a sunny spot aligns with the preferences of the bees.
Regular maintenance, such as deadheading spent blooms, extends the food availability for bees. Removing the faded flowers prompts the plant to produce new growth and more blooms, refreshing the nectar and pollen supply. This action ensures that the zinnia patch remains an active foraging site for the longest possible time.
Bees require water, especially during hot weather, for cooling the hive and producing honey. Providing a shallow dish of water with small stones or marbles for landing spots near the zinnia garden supports bee health. Finally, refrain from using systemic pesticides or spraying any chemicals when bees are actively visiting the flowers to ensure their safety.